100 Women Who Care P.E.I. hosts first Zoom meeting

After cancelling the June meeting due to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic, the 100 Women Who Care realized P.E.I. charities are in need and could not let them down a second time.  

A Zoom meeting was the solution. Just like its regular meetings, members listened intently to three deserving charities tell their stories but from the comfort of their home, office, or other location of their choice.

The first presenter was Ryan Gallant, representing the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), P.E.I. Division, a previous winner in June 2015. Ryan shared his own story of success and how he knows his life would not be the same without CMHA. During the pandemic, an even greater demand for mental health support has occurred, something many might have predicted.

The members heard from The Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Association of P.E.I. as the second presenter. Joyriders provide children and adults living with a disability the opportunity to interact with horses in an exciting and unique environment. The swinging, repetitive motion of the horse imparted to the rider helps to improve balance, co-ordination, strength and muscle tone, while gently mobilizing the joints. Therapeutic riding also improves sensory processing, focus and concentration, the ability to learn concepts, and communication skills. Although COVID-19 initially stopped all lessons, the board decided to not let the pandemic interfere with their mission, so they developed a safe plan to get their clients back on to the horses.

The third presenter, and another previous winner from September 2017, was Halbert Pratt, the manager from Pat and The Elephant. Halbert devotes his time to transporting Islanders with mobility issues to and from their destinations. COVID-19 did not stop the work he and his staff perform, they just had new practises to follow, to ensure the safety of everyone. 

As always, choosing one charity over the other was not easy and it was The Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Association who garnered the majority of the votes this time. It night was their third time at the podium during the past six years, so the win came as a wonderful surprise to president Daphne Davey and past president Janice Cole. 

Joyriders receives no government funding, relying heavily on fundraising and donations. Every dollar donated goes directly into programming. Like many other charities during COVID-19, Joyriders had to cancel their most important biennial fundraising gala. You can imagine how tight their cashflow was prior to the 100 Women Who Care members donation of more than $20,000 after a five-minute presentation. 

“Now our board will feel a great load taken off its shoulders and we can plan for our programs for next year with great confidence," said Davey.

Find out more about The Joyriders’ volunteers at thejoyriders.ca. 

The next meeting for 100 Women Who Care P.E.I. will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8. Depending on the provincial rules for number of people gathering inside, it will be held either at Confederation Centre of The Arts or online via Zoom. Check the Facebook page or 100womenpei.com for updates. New member details are also available on the website.